SERIOUS CHARGE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 48, 20 November 1919, Page 3

SERIOUS CHARGE

TWO WOMEN ARRAIGNED Tho unusual .circumstances which led' up to the arrest of two women named Avail Alley and Gertrude Martin on a charge of conspiring to procure a miscarriage in the case of a third person were related before Mr. W. (i. Riddell, S.M., at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. Tho piosecution was conducted by Cluef-Deleetive Boddani. an<l Mr. (!• A. L. Treadwell represented the accused Martin and Mr. I'. W. Jackson tho accused Alley. In relating the Fact's of the case Cliiofpetectivo Boddani said that on the evening of Saturday, April 15. IHI6, a woman giving her name as Miss Martin telephoned to the Chief Postmaster, at his private hous? and said that she was speaking trom a slot machine at ■Newtown. Site said flint she had just posted it letter to the-sergeant of tho police at Blenheim. and as it was written in a (it of iealou-sy she desired it to ho slopped- The Chief Postmaster refused the request, informing the woman that: no letter could lie returned except nt tho direction of the Oovcrnor-Gen-er.al. . th • following Sunday luornir(g a post office letter-box at the corner of Crawford and ■Tnsman Streets, Newtown, v. as found to have been tampered with. The letter was subsequently received by the sergeant of the police at Blenhim, and it contained certain allegations. Another letter was i-ceived by. tho police at Blenheim signed "flertio Martiii," and this letter stated flint tho contents of tho former letter were untrue, that it was only "dirty spite," and Tequested that no notice be taken of it. At tho time- the- accused -Martin could Jiot ho located, hut' subsequently • she was traced at Islington,, near. Christclnirch, ajid when arrested she confessed that the contents of tho first letter were true. - . . Tho Chief Postmaster (A. P. Drvden) pave evidence resrnrdiwr the.'telonhonic communication, but evidence as to the tampering, ivilh the letter-bnx was not allowed, as the police were unable to connect this net with tho accused Martin. •. Esther Louisa Whit» sai<l that she was the-woman whom thu accused ' Alley operated on. . At this •stflfe the, proceedings were ad-jounie.-l till Friday afternoon. THEFT 01? SHIP'S STORES.. Two waterside workers named John Bhand and Thomas Kerwin were jointly charged with the theft-of various foodstuffs, valued at ,£1 2sl (Id., tlie property of the Union Steam Ship Company. Chief-Detective ISoddam stated that on November 12 lx>th accused were noticed leaving tho steamer Tofua with parcels in their pos«ossion. These were found to contain 51b. of raisins,-nine fish, four tins of cheese, n bottle of tomato sauce and a bottle, of oil. . Chief-Dstcctive Jioddaui conclude<l his statement with tho remark that such thieving was altogether too common-on the wharves.

Mr. 11. F. o'L:'ary, who appeared for the accused, called evidence as to -the good character of the accused, and made a. strong appeal for leniency. Moth men were married,, with families, and as a result of this prosecution would ho deprived of their right to. work. on., the wharves for six months. His Worship took a lenient, view of the case and fined accused ,£5 each, in default 21 days' imprisonment. _ THEFT CIIAUCIE DISMISSED. " i A charge of theft of a hide, valued at t£4, the properly of Davidson and Co., was preferred against Alfred liichard Searlo, who pleaded not guilty. Chief-Detective Boddam stated that on November 4 Detective-Sergeant Scott and Detective Black saw the accused walking alons the Hutt lio:id towards Kaiwarra, carrying a sack. When approached hv the detectives accused dropped the sack and asked for a match. When asked what tlit;- ,snck container! the accused Said ho had. found a-hide. He further stated that he wa? employed by Davidson and Co. and that he 'had berm loading hides that day. The accused's explanation was net. ncccpted and lie wns arrested.

For the defence, counsel raid that Iris client drd not deny having pr'-ssjssion of tho hide, but he did deny having stolen it. After finishing work he went home to lea and later returned to the store to remove the hide to safety, and it was while he wns doing this ho was accosted bv the detectives. ■ His Worshrp sa d the evidence against the accused was certain'y somewhat suspicious. However, there was a doubt about the matter, and the information would be dismissed. , ALLEGED RAISE PPETENCES. A charge of obtaining from William It. N. Amos a motor-car valued at ,£4lO by means of a false pretence was preferred against Freder-clc Emanuel S.mmiss. Chief-Detective Boddam prosecuted and Mr. P. B. Broad apwared for the deiendant. In evidence the complainant stated that on November .1 the accused entered into negotiations with him regarding the purchase of his motor-cur. The accuscd said that he was employed at Sanson, pear Palnierstou North, and had a bank balance of .iSOfl at the Union Bank of Australia at Palnierston North. He had left home hurriedly, and had not brought his cheque-book. Accused agreed that witness slwii.d ring the bank np and ascertain particulars, 'lr.it as there was a new manager at the bank witness was linabre to gather anything to satisfy himself as to accuapd's credentials. * Later accused said I hat ho was in a hurry to itturn to Pdmerston North, as his. 'wife was ill, and asked whether witness .was prepared to allow him to have the car, and witness replied lo the effect that the transaction was somewhat .irregular. However accused signed a promissory ftote ior ,i.'410, and staled. Ihat he qtii 1 e realised the consequences should the deal not lie in order. The promissory nota was forwarded (o.lhe bank on the following "day, and was returned marked "No nccoi'iit." The car w;is subsequently recovered •by Plan Clothes Constable Burnett, and had b?o.n considerablyldamaged. . .

Arthur Jlpiiry Palairet, account:!nfc of till; Unhn Bank of Australia., Palmprf>ton Xorlb, said that no one named I.'. I!. Siminis* liud an account,, at tho hank.

' Plain Clothes G(nistnble Burnett said tluit when arrested the accused stated that he intended lo plead guilty b t/io charge. The acc.usrd pendeiU not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Ba'l was allowed in the mini of ,£l5O. AN EMl'LOVlvIi'S 01,'IUK. iiA? " li,n mimed Gconje I'arkiir Jl Doujtall, ;iii employee oi' (.ictrge and Wge, was chared with thoil. of five mils of calico, three pairs ol si!k stortings, two ([iiilf.s. one tul. of longelotli, ,'ind one vr.ll of shirting. of a lofol villiip of .tr,s«, (j,] f Clnef-Detectivo Boddiun rir'isecutiyl, and Jl r. H. I'. o'l,pary reprnsenU'd the necitsed. Complainant stated Ihal the accused joined the firm in Mny last a s a,^ii;lp n t salesman, and was jia'id a saimy of 'f.j per week. Tvml.v this mo'ith lie !denl : fir;l the properly nienlioned in the infonii-i----lions as his. Tli" accused had no ontliorify lo take (lie goods, ami at (he 'J'arana SI reel Police Slal'on die :!f- - tn vr.tness that ho h;.'d stolen Uio projjorly. ! Jlichael JJi'vid, drapn'. niid Ihal !i<. had jiiicwn (lie licensed for (h? pas! |!j years, '.rlien !■" wis an pieoloyp o' t'i'i J).I.C. ffpcunlly 111" oe/'iix.>d '>'• i ii-iinoia the ]ir-ippHt- meiiii: ned in !J|,, jpfoj-nr,. tions. .'Hill 111-' orice he o:' ; d was a ;;||| ( . IhiiM w.arehouse prices. The licensed pN-idcd pr'ty. e-'d wis fommitle'l lo Hi" S"i)i(,' ,(> Coi-rt for >enteiire. Hail was .allowed in the sum of j£2OD. OTIIKK Cr'AK/'I'S. I Minnie Jirowr and Alcxeniler li'ue were Din:ly ehi.r'.'cl with beinj; rojecs ood irahoiids. in I ha; I hey v.ere fo'ml l:y . Ight wil.Vnil lauli.ll cxi'iis; 1 en (lie < \\- tdoft'd oi'flni-. 1 - of C'lielin and. -'rjjj, I<eeds SI reel. Belli pleadi.l nol i/uiilv, nnd nine deli !»•-(! I'v - )!. I''. O'T.parv. The ijelice evidTK,. v.sw I" fflfi effett that both nceusrrl were I'ouod Sleeping on some -acks in llje yerd, On behalf of Jilue. .Mr. O'Lpaiv s'.aled that be was nil employee of Gaudin a;:.l Son,

and his case thewfore was not. like tho eeneral run of casus. J'ounsel submitted that Blue's case could be met with a more convielion. His Worship, after warning defendants of the seriousness of the offence, enterro a conviction, sind ordered them lo como up for sentence when called nnbn.

James Carter entered the Phoenix Pinimr Knouts on Tuesday .night, and .wilfully broke a pane ni' glass, valued at fflk. I lie properly of the proprietor I.ouis Duns. Accuse'! was fined 405., and ordered to pay (lie cost of tho damage done aim' to pay witnesses' expenses ]2s. The default was fixed at seven days' imprisonment.

. T]in charge of manslaughter preferred arainst Benet Marker Williams will be heard on Friday next.

A Filipino named Jose Mendoza was remanded till November 20 on a charge of assaulting Hugh Walker, so as to cans*; him actual bodily ha™. Sub* Inspector Emerson stated that Walker was in hospital, and was very badly cut about, one wouno being between three and four inches in length, and another two or three inches.

William Arthur Woods was Temnnded to appear ai New Plymouth on November 2(i to answer a charge of theft of ,£55, the properly of Martha. Smith.

A further remand till November 2(1 was granted in the ease of Domingo Carlos. who was charged with assaulting William .Russell, so as to caiiso him actual -bodily-harm, and two oilier minor offences. Sub-Inspector Emerson stated that 'Russell was still in the hospital, and would not be able to appear for at least a fortnight.

A remand till November 2B'was granted in the case of. Jack'Powell I>oaii, who was charged with breaking and entering the warehouse of Ellis and Manton bv night with intent to commit a crime. Siib-Insnectnr Emerson said that tho accused _ was arrested on the premises at 2.30 o'clock vesterday morning. Tfichard Edmund Walsh, who wa,s charged with the theft of two overcoats, a handbag, clothes-brush, and two military hair-brushes, valued at .£lO IDs. Go., the properly of Alexander Hobbs, was remanded till November It.

On a charge of theft of a brief-bag, vlued ot IS*., the property of Kathleen \"'est. James Ward, who was represented by Mr. P. W. Jackson, was remanded till November 24. Bnil was allowed in the sum of .£2O and one surety of .£2O.

For drunkenness, Michael Martin was lined .£2. two .first offenders were convicted' and discharged, and a third ms fined 10s.

MT. COOK POLICE COURT At a sitting of the Mount Cook Police Court, held yesterday, r.nd presided over bv Mr. W. H. Coy, J.P., Olaf Strom and Thomas Mvlett, both old offenders, were each sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment for insobriety. One find offender for insobriety, who had been .admitted le ha.il. but who failed to appear, was lined 10s.. in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. ■ PETONE SITTING The monthly sitting of the Petono Magistrate's Court was presided over yesterday by Mr. E. Page, S.M. UNDEFENDED CASES. .TwUmcnt wns given for plaintiff by default in tlio following undefended eases: 1!. and N. Bosher v. B. Maddock. 4M 17s. 10d„ costs Bs.; A. W. Boden and Co. v. E. Havlen and Mrs. D. Harlen, ,£l2 12s. Gd„ costs 12s. (id.j Steven Curtis v. S. Martinson, ,£3 155., costs 7s. In this case the amount sued for was arrears in rent, and. possession was also sousrht An order for possession was made for ic-siie on December 3L_ In the judgment summons case W. L, ' Jenness v- A. T'. Smith. .£8 (is. 4d., an order was made for payment of that amount al 10s. per week, in default nine days' imprisonment. DEFENCE CASES. For failing to attend parades as rcnuired. by the Military-Service Act, l.eo;ia.'-d Packwood. was. fined .£4, costs 75.; -Henry Albert. Mason J!2, 'costs 7s. A case against S. .T. S.vnions, who .had been rejected when he offered hjniself for tho front and. tlni" believed himself exemp!-. was adjourned so that defendant- might: I" medically examined. For exceed im: the speed limit o«eree frl»nn was fined .£1 and costs 17s. Gd„ and l'wk Hodder for a similar offence was called upon to forfeit 30s„ with costs 17s. tk)COST OF A . FT T XFT!ALTh; Court was ashed to decidc whether or not. Thomas Delaney (Mr. Watson' l . was responsible for the payment of tlis funeral expenses incurred by the il'alh d' his father at Wellington. Hospital. The undertaker. J- P- Croft 'Mr. Pere) claimed JEI7 las. Gil., and the defence offered was that no contract c-xisted. .17 TI. Croft said in evidence that ho i-jceive-l a telephone mosinse from the iiosiiital stating that Mr. , Delfiney (father of defendant) had died, asking him to convey the news to relatives, wlu« resided nci'v him. He went to their hon'o, but finding no one there went to a daughter of deceased at Petone, who referred li'm to defendant nt Stokes Vallev. He saw defendant there and arransoments we v e made for the func-ral, Ttrlnney undertaking to defray the expellees. Since th«-n It? l.nd aiiproaehed defendant cn two occasions ■ for the money, and cn cach he had b;cn promised payment. hi ;i.»swer to counsel for the defence plainHff said- that, mention was li'iide of a military funeral; a.ird he under'"- , k to mn'-o a ,, ran"ement- ! Mr the iron r. -iaae. whieh h* did. Defendant did r i sev th? ti"'" that the Defwic? iJ.ipnrt-nr-'t would pav the account. IW-'cv. en other hand, said that 0-ft brmi"ht the news if his father's iloath. savin" V was the l'adeHaHr. hid ir'niiit'T Ibal had had 1-, -fn<>"<i'i.<l miiitai-'- ne!'vie» a»d Ibnl- the eiitboiHies would see that he had a ni'Mta'-y I'uierpl. ]T-. nlsn ?ave r-M-t t" niMlevi.4-.iid I'm' ">ev "Ollld the d'bt. mid if t.lie.v d-'d not. f'l.-ii he witiM see il right. T.al°r ho ili.it li" pren"«".l It pay if the T)- f 'iic" IVm-tme"! did net. T''e M'ioU-|re<" ""'"I"'! I'll- ""t to de--v.„i«»i .«nd thi.l 1"> IhougM. a «>nt.m" 1 - hvl l-n-n «nt»r»d into. JuilKiimnt v---..'d I)" nlainl-' 1 " for 'he anirnnt claimed (il7 15s. afid.), with ccsts .V2s.